Contract Meals Overview

FareStart provides nutritious meals to childcare centers, including Head Start programs, and homeless shelters around the Seattle area 365 days a year. In 2013 alone, we produced 666,383
meals for area childcare centers and shelters.

FareStart was founded on the concept of providing dignified, nutritious meals to those in need, and indeed, these contract meals remain the foundation of our business today.

In addition to being a touchstone of our history and mission, these meal programs serve as a valuable hands-on training opportunity for our students. Under the supervision of our skilled Chef Instructors, FareStart students learn and hone their new skills as they prepare both the childcare and shelter meals. This working classroom offers our students a chance to gain proficiency and confidence in the kitchen, while also learning about nutritional guidelines (USDA and CACFP), safe food practices, and meal planning.

Childcare and shelter meals also provide FareStart with an important revenue source. As with all of our businesses, revenue generated through our contract meals goes directly back into the program to fund our job training and placement efforts. A wonderful “full circle” is created when our students work hard to provide dinner for those staying in a shelter while simultaneously transforming their lives and working towards their own self-sufficiency.

Interested in FareStart Contract Meals? Have any questions? Let us know! Contact our Contract Customer Service at contractmeals@farestart.org or 206-267-7619.